7/8 Tantalum alloyed caststeel with desert ironwood

Hello,

i would like to show you a razor i made some time ago.
It is a 7/8 wedge blade made of a special steel. I alloyed and casted this steel with about 1,5%Carbon and 0,5% Tantalum. As you can see on the fotos it is differentialy hardened and etched to show the hamon and the steel structure.
The scales are desert ironwood and the wedge is made of brass.

http://www.koraat-knives.at/twg181/i...twg_show=a.jpg

http://www.koraat-knives.at/twg181/i...twg_show=b.jpg

http://www.koraat-knives.at/twg181/i...twg_show=c.jpg

http://www.koraat-knives.at/twg181/i...twg_show=d.jpg

cheers,
Ulrik

A very nice, understated style. I admire your restraint.

Wow really really nice. I envy those that are working mini-foundries. What do you think the hardness is on that? Cast are usually a little softer but didn't know how your alloying affected hardness.

I like the look of the steel - very nice!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RoyalCake

Wow really really nice. I envy those that are working mini-foundries. What do you think the hardness is on that? Cast are usually a little softer but didn't know how your alloying affected hardness.

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Thank you.
I didnt measure the hardness, but the final hardness is always a result of the alloy, the hardening temperature and the tempering. With 1,5%Carbon, this steel is very similar to file steel. So the hardness should be around 63-64hrc.

cheers,
Ulrik

Very nice,What gives the steel the dark color? the etch or the alloy?

How does it shave ? Great looking razor.

That is wonderful!

Thank you for all your kind comments!

The dark color comes from the etch.
I cant tell you how it shaves, you will have to ask my customer. But it does a good hanging hair test after sharpening ;)

cheers,
Ulrik

Very nice, congrats :).

Very nice looking razor, great looking scales, did you purposely go for that darker blade finish, and what are the benefits of using this specific steel structure?

Jamie.

Thank you.

Yes i made the dark finish intentionally.
The benefits of this special alloy are not so much shaving related. Its more the uniqueness of a custom steel that many of my customers enjoy and the specific look of the steel. Concerning the shaving properties: It is a very hard steel with very fine grain so it can be sharpened to a very fine and sharp edge. But it is not better or worse then any other good steel.

cheers,
Ulrik

'Really handsome, Ulrik. The work looks super clean. Hard steel, fine grain, a bit of smile - I'll bet is a fabulous shaver.

Ulrik, you have a perfect balance of scales to blade. It is beautiful straight razor. Apparently she now belongs to one of your customers. Good news for him, bad news for me. : )

Very sleek, nice work.

Beautiful razor, Ulrik. Really nice work!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chalito

How does it shave ? Great looking razor.

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I'll let you know once i get it :D